Redhawks softball snaps losing streak

The Southeast Missouri State softball team broke a four-game losing streak Wednesday by winning the nightcap of a doubleheader at the University of Mississippi.

After Mississippi romped 12-2 in the opener that was stopped after 4 1/2 innings by the mercy rule, the Redhawks rallied for a 7-3 victory.

Mississippi (13-18) of the Southeastern Conference threatened to sweep Southeast (7-12), as the Rebels led 3-0 after four innings of the nightcap.

But the Redhawks went ahead with a four-run fifth and added three in the seventh.

Lindsay Pickering went 3-for-3 to lead Southeast's 13-hit attack. Amber Peterson, Jennifer Vasquez and Elise Sperakos each added two hits. Pickering and Peterson each had two RBIs.

Elaine Fisher was the winning pitcher, allowing six hits in going the seven-inning distance.

Southeast was limited to two hits in the opener. Both runs scored on Michelle Summers' two-run homer. Stacia Dopudja took the loss.

The Redhawks play at Tennessee State on Saturday.

Tennis posts win

The Southeast women's tennis team began its spring break trip to Hilton Head, S.C., on Wednesday with a 9-0 rout of Huntington, an NAIA school from Indiana.

The scoring system for the match was on the NAIA nine-point system, rather than the seven-point system the Redhawks normally use for Division I matches.

Southeast, which improved to 7-5, did not drop a set.

The Redhawks play their second of four matches in South Carolina today against the University of Sioux Falls.

Southeast 9, Huntington 0

Singles

No. 1: Bryce Kristal (SE) def. Raelyn Althoff 6-0, 6-0; No. 2: Drew Kristal (SE) def. Calli Fike 6-1, 6-0; No. 3: Luz Garcia (SE) def. Kendra Ganz 6-1, 6-0; No. 4: Julia Masotti (SE) def. Jess Deter 6-4, 6-2; No. 5: Elise Nattier (SE) def. Katie Sprunger 6-1, 6-3; No. 6: Kimmy Anderson (SE) def. Liz Hull 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles

No. 1: Kristal-Kristal (SE) def. Althoff-Ganz 8-1; No. 2: Masotti-Nattier (SE) def. Fike-Hull 8-1; No. 3: Garcia-Anderson (SE) def. Deter-Sprunger 8-2.

Gymnast honored again

Southeast freshman Rikara Turner has earned her second consecutive Midwest Independent Conference gymnast of the week award for her performance Saturday at Centenary.

Turner captured her fourth all-around title of the season with a personal best 38.925. She also won the beam with a career-high 9.850.

The Redhawks, ranked 36th nationally, will compete Friday in a meet hosted by 12th-ranked Arkansas. Other teams are No. 18 Missouri and No. 51 Texas Women's.

Southeast, aiming for its second straight NCAA regional berth, will end the regular season March 31 at the Midwest Independent Championships hosted by Illinois-Chicago.

-- From staff reports